By Greg Wehner

(June 9, 2022) Two Berlin Intermediate School students were arrested this week and charged with conspiring to commit first-degree murder.

GREG WEHNER / OCEAN CITY TODAY
Two Berlin Intermediate School students were arrested by the Worcester County Sherriff’s Office last week and charged with conspiring to commit first-degree murder.

According to a press release that followed a press conference on Friday, Worcester County Public School officials contacted the Sheriff’s office about a potential threat several students reported to administrators.

After investigating the situation, the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the threat was credible.

The investigation found that a 13-year-old girl brought a knife to the school on June 1, following a dispute with another student on social media days earlier. After bringing the knife to school, the girl asked another student to hide it near the woods outside of the school so she could apparently use it against the student with whom she had he had a dispute during recess.

Several students overheard the conversation, the statement noted, and reported the information to faculty members.

Deputies recovered a kitchen knife from the suspect’s backpack before contacting the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation.

“Through the combined efforts of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office, the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation, the Worcester County States Attorney’s Office, and both the students and staff at Worcester County Public Schools, we have averted a potentially tragic incident,” Sheriff Matthew Crisafulli said. “Furthermore, I can confidently state that there is currently no active threat at Berlin Intermediate School or any other school within Worcester County at this time.”

Superintendent Lou Taylor echoed the sheriff, adding that counseling and other resources are available for students and staff affected by the incident.

School officials praised those who came forward to report the incident, during the press conference.

“We are here first and foremost today to honor the bravery of several of our students, who prevented what otherwise could have been a tragic event for Berlin Intermediate School and our entire school system,” Taylor said.

The investigation is still ongoing and has resulted in numerous interviews, including confessions from both suspects as to their involvement, as well as the seizure of additional pieces of evidence.